SouthWest Edgecombe High School junior Lecora Lee is one of 24 students in North Carolina to be chosen to compete for the College and Student Readiness Award. Lee was selected as a result of her academic achievements and ACT scores.

“It’s a very great honor even to be nominated,” Lee said. “I am highly appreciative of the opportunity and I am hopeful it will help me further myself in my journey after high school.”

According to N.C. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. June Atkinson, the College and Student Readiness Award is an extension of the annual College and Career Readiness program aimed to recognize the accomplishments of students. North Carolina, one of 12 states involved in the campaign, has worked with ACT Inc. in its promotion of the program.

Lee and 23 other students were selected as a result of their scores on ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks in science, reading, mathematics and English. In addition, these scholars have shown evidence of success inside the classroom and beyond.

“Lecora is a very bright and thoughtful young lady who is well-deserving of this accolade and ACT achievement,” said Marc Whichard, principal of SouthWest Edgecombe High School.

This award, a feature of the Celebrating Achievement aspect of the College and Career Readiness program, is designed to honor the successes of one student from each of the twelve participating states. At the March State Board of Education meeting, only one of the twenty four students from North Carolina was selected to compete nationally.

“This is very big to me,” Lee said. “My family, friends, and I are all still so excited.”